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Rh is doubled. In return for this he has the protection of our circle, and when times are bad he can always draw money for personal expenses."

I had heard of this sort of thing, although an independent man myself.

Ivan glanced at the clock. "If Chu-Chu got the pearls," said he, "I may look for him before noon. It is now half after ten. Do you care to wait?"

"Suppose he does bring them?" I asked.

Ivan made an impatient gesture with his hand. "It is all of the same piece," he snapped. "On your account, that house is exempt from our affairs. If Chu-Chu has stolen those pearls he has disobeyed orders, and in that case he may take his choice between handing over the pearls to you or severing all connection with me. He will probably prefer the former. My organisation is worth more to him than even so valuable a necklace of pearls. But if by any chance he should decide on the latter, then, my dear Mr. Clamart, you will have to arrange matters with Chu-Chu. I am not given to half-measures, and having decided on my course of action I will carry it out. But there is a limit to my authority. If you care to wait I will show you into the library, and if Chu-Chu comes here you may talk to him yourself. He is coming this morning as I have some other matters to discuss with him."

"Thank you," said I; "then I'll wait."

Ivan showed me into a small but handsomely furnished room, the walls lined with bookshelves which were filled with volumes. I selected a work on modern sculpture and sank into a big leather-covered chair.